MAGNETTE RUN TO SOUTHERN HIGHLANDS
Sunday 17 April 2011
Malcolm Robertson enjoys a day in the
picturesque NSW Southern Highlands for the second MG Magnette day…
As I reported last year, the Southern Highlands, not far outside Sydney,
Australia's biggest, noisiest and most crowded city, are often referred to as a
tiny patch of England, so like some parts of the old country are they. Green
fields, grey drizzle (usually), narrow winding roads, deciduous trees ablaze
with amazing autumn colours, tiny villages with red post boxes on every corner.
Any visiting Englishman would be homesick straight away, while local Aussies go
there to bask in the cool shade instead of the usual dry, brown heat found
elsewhere in the country.
But, wait! Since last year, the ten year drought has broken and Australia's
eastern seaboard has had one of its wettest seasons on record. Everywhere is
green, green, green! So this year's MG Magnette day on Sunday 17 April was
always going to be a bit "iffy" weather-wise and, in true British style, the day
dawned grey and misty with rain storms predicted. Not to be deterred, a hardy
group of four Australian Magnettes (and one Rover) converged from the big cities
of Sydney, Wollongong and Canberra to participate in the second Southern
Highlands event run by Terry and Helen Healey from Mittagong.
From Sydney came Peter Baldry and Lesly Radnidge in their gorgeous duo-tone
silver over black ZA, sometimes irreverently referred to as the Silver Top taxi
because it revives old memories of Melbourne taxis that used to be painted in
the same colours. (Paul Vermont in Melbourne is looking for an old illuminated
Silver Top taxi sign as a special gift for Peter.) Peter is Magnette Register
captain and general motivator of all things Magnette for the MG Car Club in
Sydney. Also from Sydney came new Magnette owner John Cunneen with his Steel
Blue ZB, and George Berger who owns a lovely black ZA which unfortunately had
blown a head gasket, so he was in his beautiful maroon Rover 110 instead. From
the National Capital, Canberra came Malcolm Robertson in his well-campaigned
Varitone, Alison. David and Barbara Overington in their green ZB again made the
hazardous trip up a steep and winding pass from sea level at Wollongong to the
Highlands, while organisers of the day, Terry and Helen Healey, were in their
dark blue ZB. Two "new" Magnettes have recently joined the Southern Highlands
group, Ray Capner with a red ZA and Allan and Annemieke Edwards with their
maroon over cream ZB. Both these cars were on their first Magnette run.
Despite the grey and blustery conditions, the cars and their crews enjoyed a
leisurely drive through some of the back roads, managed a photo opportunity at a
tiny town called Exeter where the local ladies were holding an apron display
day, and enjoyed a relaxing picnic-style luncheon in a park adjacent to the
picturesque Fitzroy Falls (which noone remembered to photograph). There was even
enough time to visit the nearby junk shop Grandpa's Shed where the Magnetteers
were seen filling their pockets with useful goodies, including a set of Wolseley
4/44 hubcaps.
Thanks again to Terry Healey for putting together a very interesting and
relaxing day.
Malcolm Robertson
April 2011
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| Waving "Hello Gunter" - Aussie Magnetteers wave to fellow enthusiasts world-wide | Magnette line up Glittering chrome grilles and bumpers - MG Magnettes at Exeter | Silver top taxi The Silver Top taxi - Peter Baldry's ZA | On the road Seven MG Magnettes in line astern in the NSW Southern Highlands |
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all pictures by malcolm Robertson |
| Edwards ZB "Now where can I get some chrome strips?" Allan Edwards two-tone ZB looks very smart | Bees Bees around the honey pot! John Cunneen, Peter Baldry, Terry Healey, George Berger and David Overington | Healey ZB Terry and Helen Healey's ZB |
